Peru Guide
Arequipa
Restaurants
1 
La Cantarilla C Tahuaycani 106, Sachaca A notable, modern picantería located in a suburban district to the south of Yanahuara, best at lunchtime where you can enjoy the shaded, spacious patios; everything is cooked over wood fires.
2 Complejo Turístico Bob Gourmet Alameda Pardo 123 
054/270528 Combining two of the finest restaurants in the city, this complex is based in the old Club Alemán, overlooking the city from the western banks of the Río Chili, with shady pagodas and a kids' play area. El Montonero is its excellent lunchtime restaurant, which is attempting to rescue some traditional regional dishes such as senca meatballs and pesque, which is made from quinoa with a cheese and steak topping. Che Carlitos is a relatively fancy Argentine grill and bar, serving excellent beef and alpaca cuts, but also offering fine salads and some roast vegetables.
3 El Gaucho Portal de Flores 112 On the plaza but below ground level, this is one of the best meat restaurants in town at quite reasonable prices; try the grills or the lomo gaucho.
4 Govinda C Santa Catalina 120a 054/285540 A highly recommended veggie restaurant with a distinctive atmosphere, serving excellent breakfasts, natural yoghurt, juices and mueslis plus very good and inexpensive vegetarian set meals. The restaurant is associated with the Centro Cultural Bhakti Yoga, which offers daily classes (Mon– Sat 6am–8pm).
5 Mandala C Jerusalen 207 054/229974 A quiet little vegetarian restaurant with a Hindu influence on decor and dishes. There are daily set-lunch menus, mild curries, pizzas and local specialities such as ocopa and rocoto relleno.
6 Picantería Cau Cau II C Tronchadero 404, Yanahuara 054/254496 One of Arequipa's best value picantería restaurants specialising in traditional foods like guinea pigs and ricotto relleno and with fine views towards El Misti and the city from its patio garden.
7 Restaurant El Cerrojo Portal San Augustin 111-A Serves good food including local dishes such as cuy, on an attractive patio overlooking the Plaza de Armas; excellent value and at its best in the evenings.
8 Restaurant Sol de Mayo C Jerusalen 207 054/254148 
reservas@restaurantsoldemayo.com Located in a different C Jerusalen (in the suburb of Yanahuara) to the one which bisects Arequipa's centre, this place has tables set within and around attractive gardens, live music and superbly prepared, traditional Peruvian dishes, all enjoyed in a convivial atmosphere. It's quite expensive but worth the $2–3 taxi ride out there; alternatively it's a 15min walk over Puente Grau, then a few blocks up Av Ejercito. Call to reserve a table, since it's a very popular place. Open daily 10am–7pm.
9 Restaurant El Viñedo San Francisco 319 054/ 205053 Quite a large, posh place, pricey but worth it for arguably the best Argentine-style steaks and grills in southern Peru, as well as the quality service.
10 Restaurant Zingaro San Francisco 309 054/ 217662 A Mediterranean-style menu backed by a modern re-fit of an attractive sillar vaulted space, this restaurant offers good food at average prices, with equally good service. Best appreciated in early evening.
11 Rosal Restaurant Prolongación Av Bolognesi, Yanahuara 054/256336 This is an ecological restaurant run by environmentalists and situated in lovely gardens by the river. All the food is delicious and organic, and their avocado stuffed with vegetables is exceptional.
12 Sunlight Restaurante C Moral 205 A very small but excellent and inexpensive Asian vegetarian restaurant with set lunch menus – including some mild curries – at giveaway prices.
13 Tradición Arequipeña Av Dolores 111 054/426467 This is the place to try your first cuy chactado or rocoto relleno. Opened in 1991, several blocks east of the city centre, this is probably the best picantería in town. It has a pleasant garden, covered and indoor spaces, and is usually bustling with locals enjoying the extremely fresh and tasty food.